KNPD Projects
co-funded by the European Union

Contents

PROGRESS PROGRAMME CO-FUNDED PROJECT - PERSUNI DIFFERENTI,
BZONNIJIET DIFFERENTI, SOCJETA WAHDA. VP/2009/004.

This project was aimed at better implementing national legislation on nondiscrimination, developing national policy to combat discrimination and promote equality beyond legislation and fostering the dissemination of information on EU and national policy and legislation in the anti-discrimination field.

National non-discrimination legislation was specifically targeted during activities such as the Anti-Discrimination seminar and the Disabled Persons' Parliament where the audience discussed the role of legislation in combating among other things nondiscrimination, poverty and social exclusion. Moreover, as part of this project, the National Policy on the employment of disabled persons was finalised. This national policy included recommendations on how discrimination in employment can be diminished and how disabled persons can be further integrated in employment.

Through the activities information about EU, national and international legislation was disseminated. In fact two of the publications produced in accessible format regard specifically legislation which is now accessible to disabled persons notwithstanding what their impairment is. As a result of these activities, more disabled persons are aware of their legal rights as disabled persons and are therefore in a better position to take action in case they encounter discriminative behaviour in their regards as disabled persons.

Such awareness raising activities also have a multiplier effect as many of the participants are representatives of Disability NGOs and would therefore pass on the information gathered during the activities to other disabled persons. On the other hand, activities such as Disabled People's Parliament (targeting specifically members of national parliament) and the meeting with stakeholders continue to raise awareness among decision-makers working in different sectors such as employment, education and health services therefore also contributing to the mainstreaming of disability issues in other sectors of society.

NATIONAL DISABILITY AWARENESS RAISING WEEK

The National Disability Awareness Raising Week started on the 3rd December 2009 (the European Day of Disabled People) and ended on the 10th December 2009 (the International Human Rights Day). A press conference launched the Disability Awareness Raising Week where information about the Disability Awareness Raising Week was provided to the media in order to further disseminate information about this activity to the general public.

This activity also comprised a number of activities aiming at increasing awareness on the rights of disabled persons. Among other activities the Disability Awareness Raising Week included the national conference on employment policy and the disabled people's parliament both of which will be described below.

This activity also included a thanksgiving reception to which disabled activists and other persons working in the disability field were invited, and a publicity campaign which included newspaper adverts, a backdrop which was used during all other project activities, a poster which was sent to schools, local councils, shops and other entities, public service announcements and billboards.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

The National Conference on Employment Policy: this half-day conference was held on the 3rd of December 2009 which is the European Day of Disabled People.

Seventy persons attended this conference and during it the National Employment Policy of Disabled Persons was discussed among the persons present including representatives of disabled people's organisations, employers and social partners.

Following this conference, the National Policy on the Employment on Disabled Persons was finalised. Through this project, the National Employment Policy was published in various formats including printed in Maltese and English languages, in Maltese audio format and as a DVD with Maltese Sign Language Interpretation.

DISABLED PEOPLE'S PARLIAMENT

This activity was planned to coincide with the International Human Rights Day but due to organisational matters, the Disabled People's Parliament was held a day before that is on the 9th December 2010. This activity was organised in collaboration with the House of Representatives and it was attended by members of parliament, representatives of disabled persons' organisations and other disability NGOs. During this activity, which was chaired by the Speaker of the Maltese Parliament, the National Employment Policy on Disabled
persons was discussed.

The aim of this conference was to sensitise Maltese Members of Parliament on the issue of equal opportunites and non-discrimination in employment for disabled people. This parliament was broadcasted live on the national television station to further disseminate information about the National Employment Policy and disability issues to the general public. A small reception followed the parliament where the persons present could continue discussing the
issues brought up in a less formal manner.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION SEMINAR

This seminar entitled Fighting poverty and social exclusion through anti-discrimination legislation was held on 15th May 2010 and was aimed at increasing awareness on the common issues present across all strands of discrimination and the role of legislation in combating discrimination.

This seminar was held in collaboration with the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) in Malta. This activity was publicised in different ways which included adverts on newspapers, circulars sent out to NGOs working in disability field as well as others working in other sectors, and information about the seminar was uploaded on KNPD's website with the aim of encouraging a wide attendance to this seminar.

The seminar started by opening speeches by KNPD's Chair and the Executive Director of NCPE, and presentations by a representative of the Malta Council of Disabled Persons, a representative of the Malta Gay Rights Movement, a representative of the National Youth Council, a representative of the Jesuit Refugee Service and a representative of the National Council for Elderly Persons.

The seminar was closed by a speech from the Director Policy Development and EU Affairs within the Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family. Copies of articles published in newspapers are enclosed.

JOINT PRESS-CONFERENCE WITH THE NATIONAL COMMISSION PROMOTION OF EQUALITY

Through this press-conference, held jointly with NCPE more awareness on the progress-funded projects was raised. The media was also invited to this pressconference. Copies of the articles published in newspapers are enclosed.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL FOR AWARENESS RAISING DVD AND RESIDENTIAL TRAINING
WEEKEND

The DVD produced included 5 clips. The clips in the DVD regard: persons with visual impairment, persons with mobility impairment, persons with mental health issues persons with hearing impairment and persons with intellectual impairment.
These clips featured disabled activists who speak about their personal experiences and how disabling barriers inflicted by society can impede them from leading an active life in the community.

This DVD was launched in the residential weekend held between the 5th and 7th November 2010 to a number of disabled activists who participated in the residential training weekend. During this weekend, the disabled participants worked in groups according to their impairment and produced a presentation on how the relevant clip can be used during disability equality training which is regularly delivered to various audiences and entities. The DVD was also presented to a number of persons working in the disability field who joined the workshops
on Sunday 7th November 2010.

PUBLICATIONS IN ACCESSIBLE FORMAT

Throughout this project KNPD published three publications. The United Nations convention on the rights of disabled persons was published in audio format and also as a DVD with Maltese Sign Language.

The second publication was the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act (2000) in easy-to-read format, in audio format and in DVD with Maltese Sign Language.
Through the publication of these 2 documents in accessible format, these important legal instruments were made accessible for disabled persons regardless of what impairment they have and allowing them to become more aware of their legal rights as disabled persons. The third publication was the second volume of the Book of Signs which entailed both a book and a CD.

This publication was presented during a half-day conference held on the 8th of October 2010. Speakers in this seminar included the Parliamentary Secretary for the Youth and Sport, the editor of the second volume of the book of signs, an honorary Research Fellow from City University in UK and representatives of the Institute of Linguistics within the University of Malta.

MEETING WITH STAKEHOLDERS

A number of key-persons representing different sectors of society including representatives of education and employment sectors participated in this meeting. This meeting gave KNPD the opportunity to gain more information to disseminate more information and knowledge regarding the rights of disabled persons while gathering important information from the persons present.

MEETING WITH KNPD'S CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

This consultative meeting provided KNPD with the opportunity to discuss publications produced in easy-to-read format.
The KNPD's Consultative Committee is made up of members with intellectual impairment themselves therefore they were in the best placed position to provide feedback on how best to promote and use the publications published in easy-to read format (which is a format specifically designed for persons with intellectual impairment). This meeting was specifically designed for persons with intellectual

impairment as they cannot be meaningfully involved in mainstream seminars since they need information to be explained in a manner which is easy for them to understand and the discussion needs to be designed in a way that enables them to make active contributions.

CONSULTATION MEETING WITH KNPD EMPLOYEES

Through this meeting, KNPD employees had the opportunity to discuss the publications produced by KNPD. Since KNPD employees work directly with disabled clients, this meeting enabled them to develop their knowledge on the content of the publications.

LINKS
The European Commission's anti-discrimination website http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/fundamental_rights
The Information Campaign "For Diversity - Against Discrimination" website
http://www.stop-discrimination.info
The on-line anti-discrimination database accessible at
www.nondiscrimination-eu.info
The website of the future European Year of Equal Opportunities for All (2007)
http://equality2007.europa.eu

A critical evaluation of the freedom of movement across the EU
http://www.enil.eu/enil/index3.php?option=com_jake&jrun=/docfiles/view/428/

(Click for more information on the FDAD Campaign)

'Equality News' - http://www.equalitynews.eu/

FDAD - Journalist School Project

Pass It On Project
http://education.gov.mt/passiton.htm

Mobility and Orientation for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons

Mobility and Orientation for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons (MOBAVIP)
Lifelong Learning Programme - Leonardo da Vinci
Transfer of Innovation Project
Agreement No.: LLP-LdV/MT/TOI/03/2008

Partners in this project

Kummissjoni Nazzjonali Persuni B`Dizabilita` (KNPD)
Provision Solutions : www.provisionsolutions.co.uk
Study Centre for the Visually Impaired Students : www.szs.uni-karlsruhe.de

Study: the situation of blind and visually impaired persons in Malta vis-à-vis Mobility and Orientation

Blind & Visually Impaired Persons in Malta vis-à-vis Mobility and Orientation Training
(English / Maltese)

Mobility and Orientation Training - What is it? (DOC)

Contacts database: services for persons with visual impairment (DOC)

Preparatory Course in Mobility and Orientation

Persons aspiring to learn more about Mobility and Orientation Training can apply for a preparatory course which will include both theoretical (to be delivered through the use of ICT) and also a practical part. For more information click here. The preparatory course outline will be available shortly. Download your application form (DOC). and send it by email to Ms. Alison Zammit on helpdesk@knpd.org Deadline for submission of applications is Friday, 16th October 2009.

Participation of blind or visually impaired persons in this project

This project will require students to work directly with blind and visually impaired persons, under the supervision of the instructors which are delivering this preparatory course.
For more information click here.

Disability Equality Training Guides

• Guide for students of the preparation course
• Guide for persons with visual impairment

Final Dissemination

External Links